1.
false accusation; unfounded complaint; pretext
an unreasonable accusation or complaint made without proper basis, often to pick a fight or find fault
それは言い掛かりだ。
That's a baseless accusation.
言い掛かりをつけられて困った。
I was troubled by someone picking a fight with me.
酔っ払いに言い掛かりをつけられた。
A drunk person started an argument with me over nothing.
USAGE:
- 言い掛かりをつける (to make a false accusation, to pick a fight)
- 言い掛かりをつけられる (to be falsely accused)
NUANCE:
Implies the accusation or complaint is unreasonable or fabricated. Often used when someone is looking for an excuse to start a confrontation.
RELATED:
- 因縁をつける (to pick a quarrel)
- 難癖をつける (to find fault, nitpick)